"Soulshine" is a song written by American musician

Warren Haynes Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was ...

and originally recorded by Larry McCray on his 1993 album, ''Delta Hurricane''. It is best known as a recording that

The Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guita ...

released on their 1994 album, '' Where It All Begins'', featuring

Gregg Allman Gregory LeNoir Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was known for performing in the Allman Brothers Band. Allman grew up with an interest in rhythm and blues music, and the Allman Br ...

on vocals. The song's title originates from Haynes's nickname, given by his father. Although the Allman's version was never released as a single, it remained one of their best known songs among fans and concert-goers. A live version of the song, which appeared on the Allmans' 2003 DVD, ''Live at the Beacon Theatre'', had Allman and Haynes alternating vocals on the verses and harmonizing on the chorus, and includes a slide solo from Derek Trucks, as Dickey Betts was no longer with the band. This has become the standard for the song in most recent years with dual vocals. When Haynes and bassist

Allen Woody Douglas Allen Woody (October 3, 1955 – August 26, 2000) was an American bass guitarist best known for his eight-year tenure in the Allman Brothers Band and as a co-founder of Gov't Mule. Biography After having studied at Vanderbilt's Bl ...

formed

Gov't Mule Gov't Mule (pronounced "Government Mule") is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Fans often refer to Gov't Mule simply as ''Mule'' ...

, they took the song with them. Gov't Mule performs "Soulshine" live at their concerts and it was included on the band's '' Live... With a Little Help from Our Friends'', '' The Deep End, Volume 1'', and ''

The Deepest End, Live in Concert ''The Deepest End, Live in Concert'' is a two-CD live album and DVD video by American southern rock band Gov't Mule, released on October 7, 2003. It was recorded in New Orleans on May 3, 2003. In 2003, after recording ''The Deep End, Volume 1' ...

'' releases.

Cover versions

Beth Hart Beth Hart (born January 24, 1972) is an American musician from Los Angeles, California. She rose to fame with the release of her 1999 single " LA Song (Out of This Town)" from her second album '' Screamin' for My Supper''. The single was a numbe ...

covered this song on her 2007 album, ''37 Days''. The song was covered by two contestants from the thirteenth season of ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

''. C.J. Harris used the song during his audition (and also in the Top 8) and Ben Briley performed the song during "Rush Week". The 1997

David Allan Coe David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville. He initially played mostly i ...

album ''Live: If That Ain't Country...'' has a cover of this song as the second track, since Haynes, Coe's original guitar player, joined him for that concert.

References

External links

Video of the song
{{Authority control The Allman Brothers Band songs 1994 songs Song recordings produced by Tom Dowd